Continuing Revelation
What does the Bible teach about the completeness of the Bible?
The Bible acknowledges that God spoke through many prophets throughout history. But it also declares that with the coming of Jesus, God has spoken his final and fullest word:
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.
Isaiah 40:8
Jesus is not one voice among many—he is the culmination of God’s revelation. The apostles he appointed were eyewitnesses of his resurrection and were guided by the Holy Spirit to record and preserve his teaching. Their writings, together with the Old Testament, form the complete foundation of the Christian faith.
Nowhere does the Bible teach that new revelations would continue to change or redefine doctrine. In fact, believers are warned to test every claim against the gospel that has already been delivered. Ongoing guidance comes not through new prophets but through the Spirit working through God’s unchanging word.
What does Mormonism teach about the need for continuing revelation?
Mormonism teaches that divine revelation is still ongoing and that God regularly reveals new truths to living prophets and apostles. These revelations are considered authoritative for the entire church and can include new doctrines, ordinances, and interpretations—even if they differ from previous teachings.
Because of this, core Mormon beliefs have shifted over time—such as views on the nature of God, the requirements for exaltation, and even the path to forgiveness. Members are expected to align their faith with the most current teachings of Mormon leaders, believing that God’s truth is continually unfolding and that previous revelations can be clarified, expanded, or superseded.
Revelation continues in the Church: the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for his stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself.
We Believe All that God has Revealed (Ensign, May 1974)
Why This Matters
If the gospel is still unfolding, then the finish line is constantly moving, and certainty becomes impossible. When divine truth is viewed as a dynamic, evolving stream, faith becomes fragile.
But the Bible offers something better: a finished word from a faithful God. We may think we face new questions or challenges that require new answers. Still, the Bible tells us that God has already revealed everything we truly need—about himself, about us, about our condition, and about what he has done to redeem and restore us to himself. His word is complete. It is not lacking. It is not waiting for updates.
In truth, it is not God who has failed to provide—it is we who often believe we need more than what he has already graciously given. But this longing for “more” can actually distract from the sufficiency of Christ and the clarity of the gospel. The more we chase new revelations, the less we rest in the one true revelation: Jesus, the Word made flesh.
That’s why this matters. Confidence doesn’t come from new messages—it comes from trusting what God has already said. When our hope is built on the unchanging truth of the Bible, we no longer need to wonder what God might say tomorrow. We know what he has said. And it is enough because Jesus is enough.
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Scripture References
Ephesians 2:20
2 Timothy 3:15–17
Galatians 1:6–9
Acts 17:11
Summary
Christianity
There is no need for continuing revelation.
Mormonism
Because times have changed, continuing revelation is needed.